- 4th in the UK for our research impact in History in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- 9th in the UK for Social Sciences (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
- =18th in the UK for Politics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
An historical approach is essential if you want to gain a proper understanding of the modern political world.
With our History and Politics BA, you develop an in-depth appreciation of the shifting historical context that leads to political change.
At Sussex, you’ll join a politically engaged community. You'll learn from leading researchers who shape the way we think about the present as well as the past.
Internship
As a final-year student, you can apply for a competitive internship with a Westminster MP or in local government with Brighton & Hove City Council.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
It’s inspiring to work among tutors who are so actively engaged in the subject areas I am currently studying.”Sophia Ward
History and Politics BA
Open Days and virtual visits
Meet us on campus or online
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for this course are currently under review – please check back in early March 2024.
Modules
This is a joint-honours course, offering you a combinations of subjects, each taking up 50% of your time.
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- History Short Period: America in the 20th Century
- History Short Period: Britain in the 20th Century
- History Short Period: Europe in the 20th Century
- Short Period: The Asia-Pacific in the 19th Century
- Capitalism and its Critics
- Communicating Politics
- Political Systems and Institutions: Contesting Electoral Autocracy
- Political Systems and Issues: France
- Political Systems and Issues: Germany
- Political Systems and Issues: India
- Political Systems and Issues: International Institutions and Issues
- Political Systems and Issues: Ireland
- Political systems and issues: Italian Politics and Society
- Political Systems and Issues: The European Union
- Political Systems and Issues: Turkey
- Political Systems and Issues: USA
- Time and Place 1899: Apex Empires, Savage Wars
- Time and Place 2015: Fortress Europe and the Migration Crisis
- Time and Place: 1661: Slavery in English America
- Time and Place: 1942: Holocaust
- Time and Place: 1948: The Arab-Israeli Conflict
- Time and Place: 1953: Monarchs and Murders
- Time and Place: 1984: Thatcher's Britain (Observing the 1980s)
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Study abroad (optional)
Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you
If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student
Placement (optional)
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.
Find out more about placements and internships
Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
Options
You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Electoral Autocracy and its Critics
- Environmental politics in the Anthropocene
- Global Crisis and European Political Economy
- Political Change: Eastern Europe in Transition
- Political Change: Money, Power and Campaigns
- Political Change: Political Parties and Party Systems
- Political Change: The European Union as a Global Actor
- Political Change: The Politics of Euroscepticism
- Political Change: The Rise of Anti-politics
- Political Psychology
- Politics and International Business
- Politics from Below: Cooperation, Conflict and Resistance
- Special Subject: Britain and the Second World War Part A
- Special Subject: Genocide A
- Special Subject: Israel–US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History Part A
- Special Subject: Palestine from the Ottomans to Nakba Part 1
- Special Subject: Post-Rave Britain, 1988-Present, Part A
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement Part A
- Special Subject: The French Empire and Its Aftermath Part 1
- The First World War: Part 1
- History Dissertation: The First World War
- History Special Dissertation Britain & the Second World War
- History Special Dissertation Genocide
- History Special Dissertation Israel-US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History
- History Special Dissertation Palestine from the Ottomans to Nakba
- History Special Dissertation Post-Rave Britain
- History Special Dissertation: The Civil Rights Movement
- History Special Dissertation: The French Empire
- Democracy and Inequality
- Feminism and Women's Political Activism in Britain
- Governing Technology
- Immigration and the Liberal State
- Independent Study/Internship Option
- Political Corruption
- Populism and Politics
- Special Subject: Britain and the Second World War Part B
- Special Subject: Genocide B
- Special Subject: Israel–US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History Part B
- Special Subject: Palestine from the Ottomans to Nakba Part 2
- Special Subject: Post-Rave Britain, 1988-Present, Part B
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement Part B
- Special Subject: The French Empire and Its Aftermath Part 2
- The First World War: Part 2
- The Neoliberal Age? Making Sense of Political and Social Change in Modern Britain
- The Politics of (Post-)Truth
- The Politics of Feeling
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Find out more about studying History at the University of Sussex
Writer-in-Residence Scheme
Stephen Bush, the award-winning journalist, and columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times, is our Political Writer in Residence.
In this role, he’ll deliver a number of writing workshops for first-year Politics students. This gives you the opportunity to develop your skills as a political writer and to become an outstanding political communicator. Stephen will also provide personalised feedback on student blogs.
Working with students challenges me to think about how I write day to day. And with our archive right here at Sussex it couldn’t be a better fit.”Stephen Bush
Columnist and Associate Editor, Financial Times
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
My work on love led to me helping Masterchef host Gregg Wallace trace his family history on Who Do You Think You Are?”Professor Claire Langhamer
Professor of Modern British History
History
Prof Maurizio Marinelli
Politics
Fees
Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2025/26 – please check back in September 2024. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.
Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex
Find out about our terms and conditions
Scholarships
Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.
Careers
With a History and Politics degree, you will gain analytical, communication, writing and research skills. This means you can go into sectors such as:
- publishing and the media
- the Civil Service, the Government and non-governmental organisations
- heritage and museums.
We also offer sessions to help you apply for graduate schemes and jobs. Recent events have included workshops on the Civil Stream Fast Stream programme and the National Government Development Programme in local government.
What to do with a History degree
Explore the careers you might be interested in after studying for a degree in History
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work